New Hampshire Wine-man (Exploring the world of wine in the tiny State of New Hampshire)
Did you know that Granite is a wine descriptor?
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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2010 Red Wine,$11.99-$14.99,86 points (Varietals are 80% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah), is dark red in color with violet tones.The aroma is very floral and carries its floral dominance to the flavor profile; I've had $40 bottles of wine like this, and this one has as much elegance as any of them, but florality beyondthe nuanced subtleties are to me like Chamomile, Jasmine, and Hibiscus teas and have never had a strong appeal to me unless I'm sick. Take this as a caveat, and if I did have an affinity for those teas, I would probably score this wine nearer 88 points.Other aromas are hints of leather and horse-hair (psychological? maybe). A medium to medium-plus body has fair acidity and light tannin, but carries these with all that floral-flavor with some plum into a rather weak finish.Les Chevaux is French for "The horses".Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Saturday, September 29, 2012

La Cigalette Domaine de Dionysos 2009 Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne (Now, there's a mouth full!), but at least this label tells you what varietals are in the bottle, and SO much more; well not everyone will be able to explain the "Designation" on the top label, but I'm sure someone will, and I thank you in advance. As far as I can tell, La Cigalette ads to the specificity of the grape origination. I think of it in terms of micro-origins, such as my neighborhood: I live on 452 Mast Rd (micro-origin), but across the street is 451 Mast Rd. (another micro-origin).Well, there's a plethora of "wine label" blogs that want you to visit them, but keep in mind the picture I've provided for reference, as it offers more information than most.To the wine:Domaine de Dionysos 2009 Côtes du Rhône Villages,approximate price. $20,90 points, was another delicious dry red wine from France. Bright ruby color leads to a toasty fruit aroma.The body is medium-plus, has good acidity and moderate tannin, which carry earthy-plum and boysenberry to a long spicy finish that has a touch of heat on it (14.5%).Focused is a descriptor often used by wine experts that sometimes eludes me, but this wine is just that, as it seems to "know" just what it wants to be, and that's a very good red table wine which you'll be drinking long after dinner is done.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2010-2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Friday, September 28, 2012

Vins français ? J'ai peur d'eux ? Non ! Voyez, je boire et profiter !Chateau Croix-Mouton 2009 Bordeaux Superieur$15.29-$17.99,90 points, is arguably a great and reasonable French table wine. Maybe better than a table wine. If you get a chance to try this, let me know what you think.I believe the varietals are: 87% merlot, 12% cabernet franc, and 1% petit verdot.Crystal clear ruby-cranberry red in color.The aroma is fruity with leather and earth.Having a medium-plus body that carries a noticeably aciditic and tannic dry red wine that won't please everyone, but there's excitement in this wine, there's hidden virtues that only time will squeeze out of this cellar-able gem, but in the mean time there's plenty of blackberry, black cherry, and boysenberry to keep the fruit lovers happy, and the finish is fair on spice and a hint of heat (14% alcohol) to keep us Zinfandel/Syrah loves happy too.The overall flavor is delicious and the texture is sufficiently smooth with just a touch of edginess to reveal a bit of its wild character.Do I seem happy about this wine? Yes I am, because the price is fair and the quality is there too, though as far as I can tell, this M is only loved by a few. So, the wine exploration goes on, and I'll ferret-out some of these self-declared gems for myself, and if you're inclined, for you too.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Firestone Santa Ynez Valley 2010Riesling,$10.99-$12.99,90points, has a pretty light golden color, and the nose is an impressive array of mild aromas with melon, pear, and lychee nut leading the way.The near-dry medium body has moderate acidity, a mild pithy flavor with melon and a hint of tangerine trailing into a soft ginger finish.Just a short note on value: Western North America, from California to Washington, continues to impress with quality Rieslings, White Wines that taste great, paired well with almost anything (yesterday's Mac and Cheese), and cost few pesos.So far, I have not once been disappointed with North American Riesling.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

M. Chapoutier La Bernardine 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Dry Red Wine,$47.99-$57.99,91points, has a metallic garnet color with a broad transparent rim.A more or less unique aroma pours with the wine and wafts noticeably throughout; there is, of all things, the aroma of red-grape, mellow cooking spice, other red fruits, and sandy-earth.A medium body trending a bit on the plus side is noticeably acidic with velvety tannin, producing a dry tart red wine.Flavors of strawberry and red cherry carry the wine to a long black and white peppery finish.Varietals are a Red Rhone blend, and I was again unable to readily locate what the varietals are.Just a quick comment: because I'm not familiar with French wines and don't pretend to be the "be-all and end-all" of knowledge or advice concerning these wines, my two cents worth of "a penny for your thoughts" is: if value is an issue, I'd stay away from this wine and I'd research French wines before you spend a great deal of money; ask yourself: what do I want these wines for (special occasion or as a "table wine", maybe an investment)? I've mentioned Dave Boyer's blog as a resource, and there are many others, but there is also thousands of French wineries, and often the wines recommended will not be available.There are very good French wines for $11-$25, and though I've scored the La Bernardine 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape 91 points, others were not so kind, and at this price, most of us will not be satisfied.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

makara Marlborough, New Zealand 2011 Sauvignon Blanc,$11.99-$19.99,90 points.The color is clear with light lemon tones.With fresh-cut grass and gentle, but toasty lemon, the nose is quite nice.A light body carries good acidity, is dry, is moderately tart on citrus flavors of lemon and grapefruit. The finish is fair and is a continuation of the palate.I paired this most satisfactorily with fried oysters, and at the low power-buy price, New Hampshire white-wine lovers should grab a few bottles.Index-of-reviewed-wines

Monday, September 24, 2012

Oh. . .Schist! 2011 Riesling,$8.99-$10.99, 86 points, has a water clear color with gray tones, the aroma is a light floral citrus, and a light body carries good acidity with tart, yet sweet citrus as the dominant flavor that continues onto the fair finish.This is a very simple and drinkable white wine, very straight forward.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Ghost Pines 2009 California Red Wine,$12.60-$18.00(bought at Hannaford's super market in Londonderry), 88 points, is deep, but crystal clear ruby red, with a transparent rim.The aroma is a great blend of coffee, cooking spice, and sweet red cherry.Good acidity and fair tannin carry well the medium-plus body's sweet red cherry, licorice, and blackberry, but maybe just a bit too jammy for me.The fair finish is the overall palate flavors with some spice.Having such quality in this wine, and at a remarkable price, makes this a good choice as a red table wine, and a great choice if you're having guests over for Halloween. Paired well with mash potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, and a porter house steak.Varietals are: 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Petite Sirah, 22% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot, 6% Syrah, with 14.5% alcohol.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Saturday, September 22, 2012

LE Mistral Monterey County 2007 Red Wine, $19.99-$38.99,90 points, has a garnet to Burgundy color with some sediment.The aroma is near muted with hints of spice, earth, and a hint of alcohol (14.5%).The dominant feature of this wine is the texture, which is smooth and velvety, with mild acidity, mellow to unnoticeable tannin, and a round mouth-feel."THE Mistral" or Masterful, of Southern Rhône Valley of France has as primary varietals Syrah and Grenache. This is not a sweet wine, yet may appeal to those who like sweet red wines simply because it is so easy to drink. The flavor is nearly as muted as the aroma, but licorice and damson plum are enough to carry into the fair finish of spice.I paired this with a tenderloin and wasn't disappointed, but I'd say this wine may just be on its descent. Index-of-reviewed-wines

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Clean Slate Mosel 2009 Riesling,$7.99-$12.99,90 points, is another simple, but wonderfully delicious Riesling from Germany that is sweet, but not throughout sweet; without being over-the-top, Clean Slate has managed to incorporate enough minerality and enough acidity to give a sense of having a nearly off-dry white wine with balance.A light lime hue off-sets a clear water color.The nose is a provoked delight of lemon and lime with just a hint of Lychee nut and grapefruit.The light and crisp body carries mostly citrus and kiwi, with a finish that is tart and refreshing.If you are a low budget semi-sweet white wine lover, if you can go either way, if refreshment and great flavor is what you want in a simple package, this wine is for you. Let me know, but for $7.99 you can't go wrong.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

J.Lohr Monterey County 2010Riesling,$9.99-$11.99,90points,is a watery color gray with copper tints.The aroma is a light minty citrus and a hint of honey.The near medium body carries good acidity with a bit of lemon, tangerine, and a hint of pine needles. Check out: pine needle tea? Could save your life if you ever get lost in the forest!This is not a bone-dry wine, but won't satisfy a sweet tooth either.Finishes refreshingly with juicy white grape.J.Lohr Monterey County 2010 Riesling enhances Asian cuisine and the cuisine enhances the wine; makes a perfect partnership!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Hahn Winery Santa Lucia Highlands 2009 Chardonnay,$9.34-$13.99,88 points, was golden in color, the aroma a toasty almond, vanilla, and a hint of tomato.The nose rode on a medium bodied mouth-feel with good acidity and translated well onto the palate with the aroma flavors, and additionally, there were hints of white grape and butter.The wine finished with the diminished flavors and added a hint of ginger.Hahn continues to prove that it is an excellent winery in the "everyday" wine category, but not having tasted Hahn's Smith and Hook Cabernets or their Lucienne Pinot Noir wines, I'll have to wait to taste these higher-end wines before judging whether that consistency carries throughout their wines.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Shannon Ridge Ranch Collection Lake County California 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon,(88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah,5% Petite Sirah, 1% Malbec),$10.99-$18.99,90 points, is rosewood to purple in color, with a clear rim, the aroma is cooking spice, strong cedar, licorice, and just a hint of alcohol (14.5%).A medium-plus body carries good acidity, fair tannin, and a bounty of fruit: bramble berry (usually reserved for Zinfandel), juicy boysenberry, and not quite ripe mulberry with a hint of licorice. Finishes well on spice and a bit of heat.This wine displays a fair balance and complexity found in more expensive Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and at the power-buy price, I highly recommend this wine now and for the next couple of years.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Villa Maria Private Bin 2011 Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc,$11.04-$15.99,86 points, is quite clear with a gray hue, and has aromas of grapefruit, a hint of cut grass and tomato.The light body carries good acidity and follows the aroma onto the palate. It is dry with just a hint of sweetness. The finish is fair with just a slight sour note. This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing, although it is a touch thin.The tomatoes in the photograph reflects the recurring flavor I've been getting in a number wines lately.Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Cellar Selection is a much better choice, though keep in mind that's reflected in the higher price; last purchased for $13.59-$18.99.

Chateau Vieux Meillac 2005 Gran Vin De Bordeaux, $11.99-$13.99, 87 points, has a garnet-cranberry color with a broad clear rim.The aroma is reticent, but eventually releases a pleasant cotton-candy and cooking spice fragrance.The body is medium-plus with good acidity and noticeable tannin.This wine shifts considerably with air, changing from early crisp to developing slightly sweet, almost flabby characteristics.Flavors of plum, boysenberry, and a touch of coffee trail into a spicy finish of allspice and nutmeg.As an everyday table wine, this is a good choice, and for $12 this wine delivers the dinner libation well.I could find no information on varietals; maybe someone can fill-in the blanks.

Covey Run 2009 Quail Series Gewürztraminer,$9.99,87 points, has a light brass hue.The aroma is a complex array of melon, tomato, and citrus which carry throughout the palate and finish, which also has a slight sour note.The body is light-plus with good acidity; is just slightly off-dry, and has 12.5% alcohol.Paired well with a spiced chicken sub, and with fried fish and chips.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Bogle Vineyards 2011 California Riesling,$9.99-$11.99,87 points is just a bit sweet (off-dry), and surprised me, because I'm not familiar with Rieslings having 12.5% alcohol and having even this much sweetness, but then again, I'm exploring California Rieslings, which is me making an easy guess that they are quite different from Washington, Australia, or German Rieslings.

The Bogle Riesling is water clear with some gray notes, the aroma is slightly sweet apple and carries through the palate.The body is light with good acidity, but is a bit 'flat' or bland, and yet we all liked this wine, polishing-off the bottle in just a few minutes. So, I guess that makes this a gulper of a wine; a descriptor I haven't used in a long time.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Friday, September 14, 2012

Celler Piñol Terra Alta Ludovicus 2009 Red Wine (40% Garnacha, 15% Tempranillo, 15% Cariñena, 20% Syrah and 10% Merlot),$9.00-$12.50,89 points, is dark ruby red in color.Give this wine a "minute" to breathe, and out comes a beautiful blackberry, smoky oak, and cooking spice aroma.The body is medium plus, is smooth on mild acidity and tame tannin, carrying plentiful flavors of plum, licorice, juicy boysenberry, tart cherry, and espresso. The palate continues the finish with just a hint of spice.It is about time I served-up a Spanish Red Wine, and at $9.00, wow! I'm not sure if this one is still available, but if you're looking for a great Red Wine as a "table wine", then grab this one.Bought at the Londonderry Hannaford's super market.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Château Tanunda Grand Barossa 2009 Riesling, $10.80-$15.00,88 points, is an Australian Riesling I can drink. Those who follow this blog understand the dilemma of warm-weather Rieslings and "petroleum" aromas and flavors (some love it, I dislike TDN violently).This wine is light gray to light lime in color, the aroma borders on floral/lemon with a touch of diesel, and these carry onto the palate with a considerable sense of minerality. The near medium bodied wine is dry, has some viscosity and good acidity.What I get from this Riesling is the desire to try the latest vintage and to pair this with Asian cuisine. Just maybe, this evening, I'll find out when I meet John Geber, the owner of Château Tanunda.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Fünf (5) Sassy White (German Sweet Riesling), $6.99-$9.99, 91 points (Did I say that about an inexpensive sweet wine?), is the faintest of gold tones in color, has a lovely toasty sweet apple aroma, an almost medium body with good acidity, and wonderful flavors of peach, apple and pear that continue into the fair finish.This is a sweet Riesling, but it is not syrupy, not cloying, not over done, but with a sense of minerals that fashion this wine's arraignment to trail on a clean note.The bottle looks great and while pouring feels like bone china; compliments many table settings with a touch of classy sass.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

J.Lohr Cuvee P A U Paso Robles 2006 Red Wine,$18.69-$49.99 (Power buy),90 points, borders on elegant, and for the $18.69 is a good deal, but falls short of a $50 red wine, in my opinion.The color is Burgundy with a clear rim, and the aroma is a beautiful array of cooking spice, cedar, violets, and Autumn leaves.A medium-plus body carries good acidity, tart red cherry and violets, with noticeably firm tannin that continues through the spicy finish. Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Monday, September 10, 2012

Domaine La Roquète Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 Rhône Red Wine was a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre (GSM),$39.09-$50.99,91 points, is solidly cranberry colored with orange-garnet tones and a broad transparent rim.The aroma begins soft and gains intensity with air. Swirling hints of earth, licorice, sweet cooking spice, and soft floral perfume, gives a lovely bouquet. The medium-plus body is luscious, somewhat acidic with moderate tannin, and carries a plethora of flavors, clove, cinnamon, cedar, vanilla, licorice, plum and black cherry among them.This Rhône Red finishes incredibly long on pepper, menthol, and eucalyptus, which I found to be the highlight of this wine.However, the wine seemed a bit double-minded and unfocused to me, maybe off-balanced is the right term, but I wasn't sure that this wine ever really knew what it wanted to be: a floral-stony Grenache or a silky-fruity Syrah, and some may just like the complexity of the two. Maybe the Mourvedre adds too much mystery to this wine and I'm not acclimated to so much wine in one glass, which made this a stand-alone wine for me, but a note to chocolate loves, this was great with my chocolate dessert!Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Arca Nova 2011 Vinho Verde,$6.30-$8.75, 87 points, is near clear with gray to brass tones. The aroma is almost pungent apple/white grape, and that aroma carries over to the palate with a strikingly dry light and acidic body with hints of pear, lemon, and maybe some fizz. This white wine from Portugal is interestingly different with a distinctively crisp and almost astringent quality.At the price of only $6.30, I felt taking a chance on a relatively unfamiliar wine (Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura varietals) couldn't hurt, and the results were amazingly good. Drink alone, or as I did, pair with spicy Linguica franks and hot mustard and horseradish.Index-of-reviewed-wines

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Ferrari-Carano Siena Sonoma County 2008 Red Wine,$16.79 (I believe this was a NHLS power-buy)-$27.99,92 points, has a ruby to Bordeaux red color, the nose is a lovely potpourri of sweet cooking spice and freshly turned earth.Siena is largely Sangiovese and has a round mouth-feel, but kicks-in with ample acidity and lasting firm tannin. The near full body carries plenty of black fruit with some sweet plum, floral cherry, and coffee liqueur with just a hint of licorice. The finish is reflective of the palate, and is quite smooth, but with a touch of heat (13.7%) and chalkiness. I believe this is the best Ferrari-Carano wine I've tasted, but keep in mind that many of the "Big" wine tasters weren't gaga over this wine, and with scores in the mid to high eighties, the Big guys weren't as impressed as me.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Willamette Valley 2010 Riesling,$10.19-$14.99,89 points, is clear with brassy tones, the aroma is sweet apple and a hint of pineapple, both of which join a near-sweet medley of fruit-cocktail flavors finding their way through the fair finish.The light plus body has plenty of acidity to water you palate and to pair with Asian cuisine. Wow, for those liking a sweeter Riesling, this was a steal, and the overall flavor is delicious; the Northwest doesn't disappoint!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Chateau Puech-Haut 2009 Prestige Red Wine,$19.99,92 points, was Rosewood grading garnet red in color.The aroma was a beautiful array of cooking spices and freshly baked bread, with just a touch of sweet red cherry.This Rhône red wine was more round, more balanced than the last two French wines I reviewed; having near perfect acidity, smooth tannin, good tasting cherry, plum, boysenberry, and hints of tobacco flavors, more lush too, but slightly more expensive (Well worth it), It clearly impressed me.This genre of French wine is sometimes considered to be the "common-man's" French wine that I had been looking for to recommend to NH wine lovers.The finish was long with spice, licorice, and a hint of menthol.The varietals were Grenache and Syrah with 15% alcohol.Index-of-reviewed-wines

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Riva Di Rocca Prosecco,$15.99 at the Harvest Market in Bedford, 89 points, is very light lemon/lime in color, has a faint pleasantly floral citrus aroma, and pours foamy then subsides quickly.Riva has fair acidity, is quite dry, and the clean flavor profile, typical of Prosecco frizzante white wines, is nuanced with mild apple. The fair finish tastes of the Prosecco grape.This bottle had a cap and needed a bottle opener.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Okay, everyone knows I'm "afraid" of French Red Wines, the cost most of all, but there's the complexity of the French wine label, the proper aging, the number of producers, and the innumerable life-long experts, and for that I'll defer to David Boyer's Class of 1855. He should be able to satiate those wanting more info than a New Hampshire Hicksville notcher can or will give. However, since I've been reviewing a number of Red Wines, it behooves me to at least taste a few French Red Wines, even though there's not going to be any 1989 first growth Bordeaux wines reviewed, no $1,500 examples to shock and awe my readers. I will guess that there are a number of New Hampshire wine lovers who find French wines as daunting as I do, and if you're up for scratching the surface of this deep and dark cellar with me, I'll review a few of them found in New Hampshire.

Chateau Hyot 2010 Casteillon Cotes de Bordeaux,$16.99-$19.99,89 points, has a typical Bordeaux color, but with the clarity of ruby, and a broad clear rim.The reticent aroma is sweet cherry, gentle clove, and just a trace of lavender.From the very first taste, I loved this wine: tart, spicy, acidic, and ragingly tannic. This is no fruit-bomb, but boysenberry and blackberry won't allow this wine to go without flavor. The finish is fair and spicy.A very good introduction to French Red Wine, a wine I dare-say will evolve for sometime to come.Varietals are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Bogle Vineyards Old Vine 2009 Essential Red Wine, $9.99-$13.99,90 points is a deep and dark Burgundy red in color, with a broad transparent rim.The aroma is a wonderful blend of cherry, spice (carries over throughout the tasting experience and is magnified on the finish), and freshly turned earth.Rich smoky dark boysenberries and black cherry are carried along with good acidity and noticeable tannin which gives structure to this nearly full bodied red wine.With all the expensive red wines available in New Hampshire, many of which are big bargains even at $30.00, most shoppers I talk to are in the below $10.00 market, well, my friends and family, this is your red wine. I've reviewed some below $10.00 red wines that are good at that price, but Bogle Essential Red, so far, is the best of that category.Having an interesting blend of Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Syrah, this red wine has so much more finesses than the trendy Apothic red wine that my friend Judy is gaga over, provided that the Old Vine Zinfandel spice with a hint of tobacco on the finish, doesn't overwhelm you.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Ravines Finger Lakes 2010 Dry Riesling, $17.99-$19.99,90points, is going geographically from the No. West to the No. East, from sweet to dry in style.Ravines begins with a darker more brassy color than the Columbia Winery Riesling, has a more stony aroma with the slightest hints of sandalwood and citrus.The texture is lighter, but not unsubstantial, and carries good acidity, better with fish than the sweeter Riesling.Teasing-out the flavors is a bit more complicated, but the concept of "mineral-ality" is striking, and is followed with the slightest hints of grapefruit and pear which carry onto the fair finish with some ginger spice.Index-of-reviewed-winesCopyright 2010-2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger